What is a workbench? It’s a sturdy, flat surface that provides excellent support to professionals during their daily activities and comes in a variety of sizes. Let’s check what the main types of workbenches are and how to choose one for your professional needs.
What Is the Function of a Workbench?
These are specific tasks that may involve, for example, the use of large tools or the assembly of parts. Workbenches are manufactured for specific applications and uses and can be simple or complex.
Simple workbenches consist of a flat surface without any special integrations. Complex workbenches, on the other hand, are customized and designed with power outlets, computer interfaces, shelving, and drawers. They typically have a large surface area where the user can perform various tasks. Consider heavy-duty workbenches from Dyco Ventures that boast cabinets and drawers that can be placed below and above the working surface. There are a wide variety of designs available to suit any application.
How High Should a Workbench Be?
The ideal height for a workbench is around 37-39 inches, as this ensures user comfort while working. The height of a workbench should actually depend on the type of work you will be doing:
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38 inches working height: suitable for fine work such as drawing, while it is best to have your elbows supported and your core muscles as relaxed as possible.
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Working height of 35 inches: recommended for light manual activities such as assembly or processing of parts.
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31.5 inches working height: for intensive work, such as heavy assembly work, sawing wood, or planing, lower working heights are more favorable. A working height of approximately 6”–15” below the elbow is recommended.
How to Choose a Workbench for Your Needs
When purchasing a new workbench, professionals must consider multiple factors that affect the way they work, the ease with which they complete tasks, and the results they achieve. Let’s review the most important ones:
The countertop
It should be smooth and feature surfaces resistant to solvents, chemicals, and petroleum products. The countertop can be made of wood, steel, laminate, and many other materials. They all have durability and reliability in common. The material is usually chosen based on the tasks to be performed on the workbench. Workbenches for small parts and testing are usually covered with resin or plastic laminate. Heavy-duty workbenches, on the other hand, are usually made of stainless steel or aluminum and are often protected with rubber mats. Other examples of work surface materials include high-pressure laminate, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, stainless steel, butcher block, steel, and maple.
Its rated load capacity depends on the specific application for which the workbench will be used. The rated load capacity of a standard workbench is 1000 pounds, sufficient to allow work with heavy machinery, tools, and equipment. Heavy-duty workbenches have a rated capacity of around 3,000 - 4,000 pounds.
Ergonomics
Aspects such as height, clearance, and workbench accessories (such as drawers, shelves, cabinets, etc.) should be arranged and organized to ensure maximum worker comfort. After all, it’s well-known that the work environment has a substantial impact on employee efficiency.
Support
The support material is related to the activities it must support. Metal and steel supports, for example, are important for carrying out applications with high load-bearing capacity, as these materials provide reliable and stable support. In particular, stainless steel supports are used for situations where rust and corrosion are high-risk factors. For heavier work, solid wood supports are also suitable due to their equally reliable load-bearing capacity. On the other hand, legs and supports with low load-bearing capacity are suitable for lightweight applications.
What Are the Types of Workbenches?
There are many types of workbenches, depending on the activities to be performed. Here are some of them:
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Industrial maintenance workbenches
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Portable and folding benches
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Metalworking workbenches
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Woodworking templates
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Workbenches for electronics and clean rooms
Industrial Maintenance Workbenches
Industrial workbenches are designed for heavy-duty applications where they are expected to withstand harsh conditions and continuous use. These types of workbenches are designed to withstand the impact of machinery as well as equipment without bending or collapsing. Industrial workbenches are designed to withstand heavy loads.
Portable Workbenches
Another very common type of workbench, practical for workers who need to move their equipment constantly, is the portable workbench. These models are typically used for lighter-duty applications that require easy movement of the workstation. These benches are designed to fit comfortably into workstations that don’t require a permanent work surface. Portable workbenches are typically built with wheels and folding legs.
Metalworking Workbenches
As we’ve explained before, there are different types of workbenches that are perfectly suited to specific applications. Among the most commonly used workbenches are, without a doubt, metal and woodworking workbenches: their main features are simplicity, durability, and repairability.
Metalworking workbenches are designed for heavy-duty applications and typically have extremely high load-bearing capacity. Therefore, they are very robust, strong, durable, and stable. These types of workbenches are used, for example, in fabrication shops related to metal forming through welding, light casting, and grinding. Many metal workbenches are integrated with vises and clamps to hold metal parts.
Woodworking Workbenches
Woodworking workbenches are used as workstations for shaping and constructing wood projects. They come in various sizes, with larger benches used for intricate projects involving larger components (e.g., stair building, framing, and surface planing).
There are specific workbenches for electronics and cleanrooms. In the former case, the workbench is used to perform repair operations on electronic components and equipment, so they must have integrated power supplies. These types of workbenches are specifically grounded with ESD due to the sensitivity of electronic equipment.
Cleanroom Workbenches
Cleanroom workbenches are specifically designed to meet the high standards of cleanrooms. If you’re looking for a workbench for this specific area, you should pay attention to the fact that all surfaces must be made of non-porous materials, such as steel, aluminum, or plastic. It’s essential that the countertop be resistant to harsh chemicals, petroleum products, rust, and solvents.
Conclusion
Having your own workshop is the dream of any DIY enthusiast. A workbench is the most essential piece of workshop furniture. However, before purchasing one, you should consider a number of criteria to select the most suitable one, one that meets the needs of your projects. Use the guide above to get to know more about the common types of workbenches so you can pick the one that suits your DIY affairs best.
